The defect
SOME STEEL KINGPINS SUPPLIED BY CUSTOM FORGE, FOR USE ON CERTAIN VAN TRAILERS, HAVE BEEN DETERMINED TO POSSESS INADEQUATE HEAT TREATMENT.
The risk
COMPLETE FRACTURE OF THE KINGPIN CAN OCCUR RESULTING IN DETACHMENT OF THE KINGPIN FROM A TRAILER AND UNINTENDED SEPARATION OF TRACTOR AND TRAILER, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRAILERS TO VERIFY THE KINGPIN BRAND AND HEAT LOT AND DETERMINE IF THE KINGPIN IS CRACKED. CUSTOMERS WILL BE ADVISED TO REMOVE FROM SERVICE ANY TRAILERS DISCOVERED TO HAVE CRACKED KINGPINS. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS BEGAN NOVEMBER 24, 2004. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT LUFKIN AT 1-800-324-3812.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Lufkin DFV-IP | 1992, 1993, 1994 |
| Lufkin FV-IP | 1992, 1993, 1994 |
| Lufkin Tfpl | 1992, 1993, 1994 |
| Lufkin TFV-IP | 1992, 1993, 1994 |
| Lufkin TFV-Semi-I | 1992, 1993, 1994 |
Components: TRAILER HITCHES
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lufkin DFV-IP | 1992 | 0 | 1 |
| Lufkin DFV-IP | 1993 | 0 | 1 |
| Lufkin DFV-IP | 1994 | 0 | 1 |
| Lufkin FV-IP | 1992 | 0 | 1 |
| Lufkin FV-IP | 1993 | 0 | 1 |
| Lufkin FV-IP | 1994 | 0 | 1 |
| Lufkin TFV-IP | 1992 | 1 | 1 |
| Lufkin TFV-IP | 1993 | 0 | 1 |
| Lufkin TFV-IP | 1994 | 0 | 1 |
| Lufkin TFV-Semi-I | 1992 | 0 | 1 |
| Lufkin TFV-Semi-I | 1993 | 0 | 1 |
| Lufkin TFV-Semi-I | 1994 | 0 | 1 |
| Lufkin Tfpl | 1992 | 0 | 1 |
| Lufkin Tfpl | 1993 | 0 | 1 |
| Lufkin Tfpl | 1994 | 0 | 1 |
Other trailer hitches recalls in 2002
14 of the 434 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2002 concerned the trailer hitches; LUFKIN INDUSTRIES, INC. filed 4 campaigns in all.
| 02V337000 17 Dec 2002 | FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION |
| 02V333000 3 Dec 2002 | UTILITY TRAILER MFG. CO. |
| 02V334000 3 Dec 2002 | JAYCO, INC. |
| 02V312000 19 Nov 2002 | CARRIAGE, INC. |
| 02V304000 12 Nov 2002 | GREAT DANE TRAILERS, INC. |
| 02V166000 17 Jun 2002 | FEATHERLITE, INC. |
| 02V153000 12 Jun 2002 | WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC. |
| 02V158000 12 Jun 2002 | SKYLINE CORPORATION |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2002